USAID announces nearly $23.4m in additional humanitarian assistance to contain Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing nearly $23.4 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help end the ongoing outbreak of Ebola in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries, the second-largest outbreak of the disease on record.

This brings the total funding from USAID since the beginning of the outbreak in August 2018 to over $340 million, which includes support for regional Ebola-preparedness activities in the DRC and neighboring countries. Across the U.S. Government, since the beginning of the outbreak, the United States has contributed nearly $600 million in support of the efforts of the Government of the DRC and partners to end the Ebola outbreak, including more recently through the new U.S.-DRC Privileged Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.

With this new funding, the United States is continuing to provide life-saving assistance through our on-the-ground partners, including activities to prevent and control infections in health facilities, enhance disease surveillance, and train health-care workers. The U.S. is also supporting community-engagement efforts, and working with non-governmental organizations (NGO) to educate the public through radio programs, news bulletins, and public debates. These programs will benefit affected and at-risk community members, including survivors of Ebola.

Stopping the spread of Ebola requires a concerted, unified effort from the entire international community, including the United Nations and regional governments-in close partnership with the Government of the DRC and local communities.

Original source: USAID
Published on 19 May 2020